Chicks peck, bees buzz and cats play with wool. The sun soothes them to sleep, the rain soaks them. The breeze dries them all, leaving them fluffy, furry and fuzzy, ready for another day.
This is a truly original book. The story is told almost entirely through its marvellous illustrations and its fun, childlike language ('Sticky, icky chicky. Soggy, groggy moggy.'). The illustrations are chaotic, charming and full of humour and energy. Five stars!
- The Bear in the Cave, written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Adrian Reynolds. Bloomsbury Paperbacks, paperback, £6.99, with audio CD
Now out in paperback, this is Michael Rosen's 'near-sequel' to We're Going on a Bear Hunt. It tells of a bear who lives in a cave by the sea but is drawn by the far-off 'vroomy vroom' of the city. He finds the city frenetic then frightening, but four children come to his rescue.
As we have come to expect from the Children's Laureate, this is a must-have story. The repeated rhythmic patterns and question-and-answer format ('I'm a bear all alone. All alone? All alone.') are perfect for reading aloud. A hugely satisfying tale.
- Ha Ha, Baby! Written by Kate Perry and illustrated by Georgie Birkett. Boxer Books, 11.99
Baby has a face like thunder and nothing that ma, pa, grandma, grandpa, the cat or the dog does can produce a glimmer of a smile. Enter the narrator - baby's little brother - who challenges baby to stare him out without laughing, a ploy that guarantees a smile, from both baby and reader.
- Noisy Town, written by Felicity Brooks and illustrated by Matt Durber. Usborne Publishing, £9.99
Press the buttons to hear the everyday sounds of the street market, the supermarket, road works and a traffic jam. The scenes come with lots of detail and friendly Fimo models, while children will love to hear the loud, authentic noises, as they share the book with adults or enjoy looking at it on their own.
- Me and My Daddy Me and My Mummy. written by Susie Brooks and illustrated by Cecilia Johansson. Little Tiger Press, £4.99 each
Two lift-the-flap board books with a 'Just like me' refrain and humorous illustrations, as baby animals find they enjoy doing the same as their mum or dad. So, baby dolphin loves to jump and leap, just like Daddy, while baby crocodile loves to leap into the pool, just like Mummy.